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September 4, 2008
The success of Hillingdon
I was in the public library in Ruislip Manor at 9.15pm the other night and realised that the long debate about 'what we should we do with a public library' is over - finished, dead. Hillingdon have answered the question. 'Do what Hillingdon has done-- follow their lead' is the answer. The increased use, to all sections of the community and the outreach achieved are all extraordinary- as the measures of visitors, members and book issues all demonstrate
This is a fine library in which even at this late hour, readers and staff were busy, happy, proud and using the library to read, to study, to pass the time where everything else in the small run down unattractive fifties built suburban street (except the pubs) was closed and locked up. The building is clean, bright, agreeable and unassuming, the tea is good and cheap and the selection of books plentiful and rewarding. The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of space to work in private. The building was quiet- you could have written your essay, or your CV in peace and able to concentrate.. There are free to use Pc's on every desk and two special computing areas, one of which is full of Apple Macs. The doors to the street were wide open and the building was warm on a cold night. The toilets were spotlessly clean.
Behind the scenes we know that this library operation costs less than that which it has replaced; because of efficiencies already delivered, the council tax bill for public libraries in Hillingdon has already been reduced by a significant percentage and the management have identified where the next reductions can come.
Ten years of argument and so-called debate end here. This is the model. Now the next challenge is for the public library world to be humble and diligent, to understand what was done and do it themselves in their own libraries. It is not a 'one size fits all' it is a model that adapts itself not to just to any council - but to any small community within a town, to any street, village or town.
By the way- where are Andrew Motion and Roy Clare? -- they were nowhere to be seen when this project was developing and Mrs Hodge the minister was being rude about it Where is Bob McKee? or the public library group of SYRUP? Where is Miranda McKearnie? Who are the leaders of the SCL or ACL? is the LLDA still functioning, or the MLA in London? Where are the officials from the DCMS? Where is Ed Vaizey? -- to be sure when the time is right they will all claim their part in the success. But they are entitled to none
But Perkins will tell you that the people who have achieved this extraordinary success are Jean Palmer, the director of the council responsible, Andrew Malin, the head of procurement and now deputy director and Councillor Henry Higgins, the portfolio holder. For none of them was this instinctive; none of them had worked in public libraries before last year-- but they each worked fiercely hard to understand the needs of their community, the shortcomings and intransigence of the old operation and bravely undertook the tough management work that has been needed. Three St Pauls on the road from Uxbridge.
It is easy in its way for a council to spend millions of pounds on a new glass architectural statement and claim that for their legacy- and many do. But here the pride is in a humble back street public library created by shear hard work and the facing of reality. That is truly good local government.
Thanks also to Councillor John Whelan of Lambeth who also made it possible, David Whitaker, who played a role, Richard Charkin who encouraged and other allies and friends.
Purr
Posted by Perkins at September 4, 2008 8:23 AM
Comments
Unfortunately not everyone has got the message.
Doncaster plan to cut Library opening hours. Although on their own admission only 16% of residents use the libraries they intend to make them even more inaccessible. Still they have carried out a "consultation" - but who did they consult? The people who use the libraries? No. The people who don't use the libraires? - No. They asked "25 key members of Library and Information Staff".
(see the Mayor of Doncaster's 'confession' on Alan Gibbons's blog:
http://alangibbons.net/?p=99
Tower Hamlets have still not got the message either and have not backed off from their proposal to close the Bancroft Local History Library and Archive:
http://tinyurl.com/6objzg
and
http://tinyurl.com/64rcwd
[web addresses shortened at tinyurl]
Posted by: Martyn at September 4, 2008 4:18 PM
I was wondering why this such a fantastic review of a library when most of this blog seems so down on them. It didn't take long to discover that Tim Coates is the power behind the scenes as t'where..... blowing one's own trumpet springs to mind...
Posted by: Archie at September 13, 2008 8:47 PM
Dead right Archie- well spotted. On this blog there are super heroes and deadly villains. There is no halfway house.To be truthful the real heroes in Hillingdon are the people mentioned in the entry together with the staff of the libraries in the borough, the other council officers involved and those suppliers who have committed themselves to the project. It took some time because the changes they have undertaken are fundamental and have been very hard to make. This is pioneeering work and they are doing really well. This blog is proud to have made a small contribution to what they are all doing.
But if you know of a library which is open this late, looks as smart and has good stock (the stock in Ruislip is not yet what it can and hopefully will be- but at least there is a recognition of the important role it plays), all at good value for money-- then we will not just blow trumpets, but 76 trombones as well. That's why we are called The Good Library Guide.
Posted by: perkins at September 13, 2008 10:06 PM
Hornchurch Library in Havering is open till 10pm Mon-Fri, and till 8 on Sat, is completely refurbished, and has a dedicated Information Reference Librarian, a role I believe has been dispensed with in most branches in Hillingdon. :)
I don't think it would hurt to be open and straightforward about your role in the Hillingdon changes. As I understand it, you were a reasonably well-paid consultant on the Hillingdon project, which I think you neglected to mention in this entry.
Posted by: Tim at September 14, 2008 7:39 PM